Avunu... Valliddaru Istapaddaru! Review

Who is the bravest man in the world? The soldier? The fireman? George Bush's official blooper clarifier? No, it's the director whose producer asks him for an old hat working class whimsy flick and who chooses NOT to say no.

Corollary: Vamsi's back with yet another testimony (AVI: Avunu Valliddaru Istapaddaru) to one of the most worn-out movie yarn gimmicks of all time... the working class fantasia. But what really makes this movie stand out from the venerable list of other working class fantasies is the familiar but one-of-a-kind personality of the irrepressible Anil (Ravi Teja), a tad of quick-witted raucous comedy and the soft 'n' mellow music composed by Chakri.

Anil, an overqualified jobless guy, somehow manages to get employed as a night shift watchman in a company for measly wages. Not being able to afford a separate apartment with his meager rozi, he seeks the help of Jeeva. The latter makes do by lending Swati's (Kalyani) room to Anil - which should normally have happened with Swati's knowledge, but in this case doesn't. But of course, he makes it quite clear to Anil that he is allowed to use the room only when Swati's not around. Instantly there is this instant hit opening song "Vennello Hai Hai", which perfectly sets up the movie that follows.

Soon enough Swati becomes conscious of the "someone else" in her room. But as opposed to kicking out the "someone else", she consents through a letter to let him feel free to use her room as long as their timings remain mutually exclusive.

Then and there begins their communiqué, which clearly ends up in love. After that how they unite is left to the climax. A killer point to note is that Swati doesn't know who Anil is till just before the end. THE END.

The first part of the movie is a scream, but during the second half the film gradually loses the tempo, consequently materializing into the movie's low point. Nonetheless, the quick-witted comedy and first-rate music somehow manage to keep up the spirit of audience right till the end.

Worth mentioning is the energy of Ravi Teja in the movie. We guess even a monkey with a swollen adrenal gland couldn't have held candles to his vigor in the opening song. The casting of the movie couldn't have been better. Ravi Teja does his best role EVER in this flick. It's almost like he was destined to play the male protagonist here. The performances from the others are passable as well, and they suit their respective roles just fine.

AVI is hilarious without straining to be, with a clichéd but entertaining storyline and terrific cast. It is undoubtedly one of the, if not the, best commoner-comedies of 2002. Needless to say, it is a must see if you happen to like "any" of Vamsi's preceding movies.